Latest KFF Health News Stories
Memo Reveals Covid Tore Like A Fire Through Meat-Packing Plants
Through January 2021, at least 59,000 workers were infected with covid and 269 workers died at Tyson Foods, JBS USA, Cargill, National Beef and Smithfield Foods. Those figures are three times higher than previously thought.
Widely Accessible Antidepressant May Cut Danger Of Developing Severe Covid
Results from a clinical trial in Brazil indicate that fluvoxamine — a low-cost antidepressant that is commonly available in many countries — reduces the chances of hospitalization in patients with covid-19.
Breast Implant Risks Must Be Better Detailed To Patients, FDA Orders
The Food and Drug Administration finalized new regulations that include “black box” warnings on implant packaging and that plastic surgeons must run patients through a checklist of possible complications, including scarring, pain, rupture and a rare form of cancer.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Different Takes: Is Delta On Its Way Out?; Examining Hybrid Immunity
Opinion writers weigh in on delta and hybrid immunity.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Delving Into Causes Of Medical Distrust; Breaking Down Addiction Discrimination
Editorial writers tackle medical distrust and addiction stigma.
Opinion writers delve into these covid, vaccine and mandate issues.
Perspectives: Why Getting Rid Of Old Prescriptions Is A Critical Part Of Fighting Drug Addiction
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
MRNA Vaccines To Be Made In Africa In BioNTech Deal With Senegal, Rwanda
BioNTech and Pfizer are responsible for one of the leading covid vaccines, based on mRNA technology, and this deal will see vaccines using the tech made in Africa. Meanwhile, Moderna has pledged up to 110 million doses of its vaccine to help the continent vaccinate people against covid.
Centene’s Drug Pricing Battles Force It To Restructure PBM Business
The drugmaker said it will restructure its pharmacy-benefits management business following claims by several states it had inflated drug costs and cost taxpayers money. Texas’ $290 million opioid settlement and Rafael Pharma’s pancreatic cancer trial are also in the news.
AIDS Activists Protest High Drug Prices In Rally Outside UnitedHealthcare HQ
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Wisconsin Lawmakers Want Abortion Laws; Illinois Tries To Boost Access
In Wisconsin, the Republican-controlled Assembly will send a package of anti-abortion bills to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is expected to veto them. In Illinois, the Senate voted to repeal a 1995 law that had required parents be notified when minors were seeking an abortion.
Study Links Teenage Mononucleosis Infection With Multiple Sclerosis Risks
Scientists from Sweden and the U.K. found that there was increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis as an adult among people who were infected with mononucleosis in childhood or adolescence. Separately, a study flags an “alarming” rise in colorectal cancer cases in people under 35.
Justice Department Alleges Kaiser Permanente Coerced Medicare Claim Upcoding
Modern Healthcare reports on a new complaint from the Justice Department that alleges Kaiser Permanente coerced employees to upcode claims for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. Northside Hospital, Cigna, Encompass, Betsy DeVos at the Theranos trial and more are also in the news.
YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok Face Senate Scrutiny Over Protecting Children
It’s not just Facebook that’s under a microscope for the public health risks it may pose — YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok faced aggressive questions from a Senate subcommittee yesterday. Meanwhile, The Washington Post reports Facebook prioritized “angry” emoji reaction posts in news feeds.
Judge Tosses Out Southwest Pilots’ Challenge To Covid Vaccine Mandate
A federal judge allowed a vaccine mandate for Southwest Airlines employees to proceed, ruling that the measure did not violate the pilots’ collective bargaining agreement. Other business and city requirements for shots and masks are also in the news.
Lawmakers Fight For Top Priorities In Shrinking Spending Bill
As Democrats continue to axe or pare down programs from the reconciliation package, progressives are trying to save some measures. Medicare and Medicaid are at the center of those negotiations. Meanwhile, uncertainty over the social spending bill continues to hold up a House infrastructure vote.
Former Covid Coordinator Birx Says Trump Adviser Downplayed Pandemic
Deborah Birx, speaking to congressional investigators, said former covid special adviser Dr. Scott Atlas squeezed out health officials to downplay the seriousness of the pandemic, and that then-President Donald Trump was “distracted” by the election. Atlas said Birx is trying to rewrite history.
Delta Covid Wave Dissipates: New Infections Fall Over 56% From Peak
News outlets report that new covid infections are significantly down nationally since the delta covid wave peaked in the first week of September. Other reports say pediatric hospital visits for covid have declined dramatically, even though children have returned to school.
